Written by

Mike Zacchio

The similarities between Clarkstown South identical twins Taylor and Kianna Carroll go below the surface.

In addition to the obvious identical facial features and 6-foot-1 frames, they shared a room for six years and both have maintained a nearly identical 4.0 grade-point average. They both were also named to the all-state volleyball team after leading the Vikings to the state final four.

Now, they share the honor of being named The Journal News Rockland volleyball co-players of the year.

Naturally, telling the seniors apart isn’t the easiest of tasks, except, of course, on the volleyball court.

Yes, there are the different jersey numbers, but in case your view from the stands isn’t the greatest, you can always just listen.

“Taylor is more outgoing; she inspires and vocalizes,” Clarkstown South coach John Pardy said. “She’s like a coach out there, which is very nice.”

Pardy, who is retiring after 42 years of coaching, including 19 at Clarkstown South, added, “Kianna leads by actions, more than by what she says.”

There’s also a connection between the twins in the No. 11 that Kianna wears.

“I always did No. 11, and then after I did, everyone would be like, ‘Oh, it’s you and Taylor, the twins,’” said Kianna, the younger of the two by 25 minutes. “I figured I would stick with it then.”

Known more as an offensive weapon, Kianna tallied 211 kills and 46 aces during the regular season, earning third-team all-state honors this season.

A more versatile, well-rounded player, Taylor was MVP of the Alex Valow Memorial tournament at Clarkstown South on Sept. 30. She recorded 159 kills and 26 aces during the regular season en route to first-team all-state honors.

Both will attend Lehigh in the fall, where they will suit up for the Lady Mountain Hawks. While they are glad things worked out in continuing their education together, the girls were realistic in knowing that the odds of the same school accepting them were not in their favor.

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“When we first went to visit Lehigh, it was for a clinic, and at that point we ... were still interested in the same schools,” Kianna Carroll said.

After leaving the clinic, their mother asked the girls what they thought, and both responded, “I want to go here.”

“We didn’t think we’d be able to get recruited by the same schools, so we figured that wasn’t going to happen,” Taylor Carroll said. “We wanted to go together, because I think it would’ve been really hard to not go to college and be together after spending almost every day of our whole lives together.”

The rest of The Journal News first team:

Laura Denlinger, Suffern: One of a handful of veterans on a young Mounties squad, the senior’s stellar defensive work at libero guided Suffern to within one match of its seventh consecutive Section 1 Class AA finals appearance.

Maggie Harten, Clarkstown South: The senior settled in very nicely to the Vikings’ setter role. Harten’s superb serving and pinpoint passing were major factors in Clarkstown South’s road to the state tournament.

Mallary McFadden, Albertus Magnus: One of the most well-rounded players in the section, the junior led the Falcons to their first Section 1 Class C final appearance in program history.

Rebekah Sanchez, North Rockland: The loud and proud setter is one of the most vocal players in the section. Her senior leadership and setting skills earned her all-section honors and led the Red Raiders to the Section 1 Class AA quarterfinals.

Caitlyn Zimmerman, Clarkstown South: As the team’s libero, Zimmerman was a major factor in South’s success this season. The senior earned praise from several coaches for her exceptional passing skills, as well as her defensive efforts.

Coach of the year

John Pardy, Clarkstown South: Pardy’s Vikings went 19-4 this year, winning their first Section 1 Class AA regional title since 2003. “I really couldn’t ask for more,” he said of his final season. “It’s a nice way to go out.”